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Posted: Monday, October 5th, 2009 4:39 AM HST

Professor's union members to vote on new contract

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Members of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly will vote on a contract offer from administrators beginning today. The assembly represents professors in the 10-campus system. Members have until Wednesday to vote on the proposal, which union leaders oppose. The proposal calls for a 5 percent salary cut for most union members. It would implement a "payroll lag" in mid-2010 that would briefly delay salary checks. The contract offer would also hike the employee contribution toward health insurance premiums from 40 percent in the current contract to more than 50 percent. University administrators have called the proposal "reasonable" given the $154 million shortfall the system faces over the next two years. (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)